REAL Health Breakthroughs

from William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

10 drugs you should never take!

Were in the age of what I call conveyor-belt medicine. The mainstream medical system is set up to allow your doctor just enough time to give you a quick diagnosis followed by a prescription or a needless procedure. Rarely does it allow you the time to discuss much of anything that could give you a true foundation for good healthand, ironically enough, even if your doctor did take the time to do this, his advice would probably be way off base. The fact is, profit-bloated drug companies are at the helm of our health care system. They exist to serve their bottom linesnot your health needs. Theyre vested in your sicknessnot your health. Nowhere is that more evident than in the rampant over-prescribing of prescription drugs. Not only is it adding a tremendous burden on the health care systemthe side effects are making people even sicker than they were to begin with. Frankly, Im sick of it. I cant stand doctors who are willing to sell their souls to line their pockets. Dont be too nave to think that your doctor isnt one of them. As for me, Im retired now. Im not in it for the money. No drug company reps in their fancy high-heeled shoes and flashy smiles are trying to lure me into selling their latest product. Even when they did, Id turn my nose up and slam the door in their faces. Its high time you knew which drugs are the worst of the worst. Im sure I could write a book on it, but for today, Ill just stick with the 10 worst drugs you should never take.

1) Statins
Everyones worried about high cholesterol these days, so its hardly surprising that cholesterol-lowering drugs like Lipitor are big business. No one seems to care that the statin drug has been associated with the highest risk of adverse reactionssuch as severe muscle breakdown, decreased cognitive function, and erectile dysfunction. And thats just the short list. The worst part of this is that you shouldnt even be worried about your cholesterol levels to begin with. Over the last 50 years, the high cholesterol/heart disease theory has been shot down time and again, but the establishment still pretends not to know it. One of the greatest nutritionists of the century, George Mann, M.D., the co-director of the Framingham Heart Study, said, The diet-heart idea [the notion that saturated fats and cholesterol cause heart disease] is the greatest scientific deception of our times. This idea has been repeatedly shown to be wrong, and yet, for complicated reasons of pride, profit and prejudice, the hypothesis continues to be exploited by scientists, fund-raising enterprises, food companies and even governmental agencies. The public is being deceived by the greatest health scam of the century.
Visit us at www.DouglassReport.com Learn more about William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

Forget about cholesterol levels, and pay attention to your homocysteine levels instead. Normally, homocysteine is used to build and maintain tissues. But too much in your bloodstream literally shreds your arteries from the inside out, allowing fat and cholesterol to stick...eventually leading to total blockage, followed by a heart attack or stroke. Vitamins B6 and B12 and folic acid (which is also a B vitamin) are the keys to maintaining normal homocysteine levels. Folic acid is the most important of these B vitamins in attacking and neutralizing homocysteine. Take at least 800 micrograms a day. Keep in mind that doses up to 5,000 microgramsand moreare safe and will do you even more good. I take 5,000 to 15,000 micrograms a day.

2) Beta-blockers
I think that most doctors are forgetting (if they ever knew at all) that hypertension isnt actually a disease in itselfits only a symptom of some other malfunction in your body. The REAL problem here is that just because the drugs have made the hypertension go away, it doesnt mean youre curedor even safe, for that matter. Beta blockers reduce the force of the hearts contractions. Basically, the heartbeat slows in reaction to the drug, and that lowers your blood pressure. So keep in mind that youre dealing with a dangerous cardiac drug, not just blood pressure medicine. Your doctor probably didnt dwell on this significant fact, but you need to know the truth. He didnt necessarily lie to you: He just didnt want to spend too much time on unpleasant things that might have caused you to toss the pills in the trashor not get the prescription filled at all. OK, classpop quiz: Being cardioactive drugs, what might you expect in the way of side effects from beta blockers? Youve got itsigns of serious heart disease. You may experience any or all of the following symptoms: congestive heart failure, which will lead to pulmonary edema, a good old-fashioned heart attack, or arrhythmia. And, of course, all of these irregularities can be fatal. Beyond the heart, there are many ways these drugs could do more harm than good. Theres a strong possibility that youll experience a stroke, which could cause partial paralysis or death. And asthmatics should never take beta blockers, since they may trigger life-threatening airway spasms. All this is a mere sampling of the possible side effects that you may experience from these powerful cardiotoxic compounds.

3) NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

A lot of people turn to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen or Aspirin to try to get inflammation under control or to treat minor aches and pains. You dont even need a doc to write you a prescription for theseyou can get them right over the counterwhich makes them all the more dangerous. Many people assume that OTC drugs are safer, which means theyre more likely to take too much, too often. The fact is, over 15,000 people die each year as a result of these seemingly benign pills, due to bleeding from their now-compromised protective mucosal layers in their stomachs and intestines.
Visit us at www.DouglassReport.com Learn more about William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

Long-term regular use can also damage the kidneys. One study from the Archives of Internal Medicine even found that NSAIDs increase the risk of congestive heart failure. A natural way to control inflammation is by getting omega-3 fats from fish oil2 to 3 grams total EPA plus DHA daily.

4) Painkillers
Painkillers are now considered the second leading cause of accidental death in the country. Yet that fact hasnt stopped doctors from handing out these painkillers like candy for every conceivable ache and pain. But theres nothing sweet about these drugs. They come with serious side effects, like confusion, lethargy, dependence, and respiratory depression, just to name a few. The simple truth is that if youre not suffering from chronic, debilitating pain, chances are you dont need a painkiller such as Vicodin or Oxycontin. And many times, even if it is chronic, you still dont need a drug. Take arthritis, for example. When it comes to arthritis pain, I normally prescribe fish oil (2 to 3 grams of total DHA and EPA daily). Most cases of arthritis will respond to these two remedies without the need for prescription or even over-the-counter painkillers. As far as other types of pain, like lower back pain, shoulder and neck pain, and headaches, most will respond to physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, massage therapy, and osteopathic manipulation. The point is, taking a dangerous painkiller should your last resortnot your first one.

5) Antidepressants
Over the past few years, there has been a huge increase in the use of serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants such as Zoloft and Paxil. Docs are quick to write prescriptions for these pillseven when all you may have is a case of the blues. What youre getting is an Rx for weight gain, decreased sexual desire, and possibly even thoughts of suicide. Take action by trying the simplest remedies first: talk therapy, exercise, and cutting down on sugar and caffeine. You might even want to try an adaptogen called Rhodiola rosea. It provides an overall balancing effect to the body and can help normalize mood problems.

6) Diabetes drugs
Widely prescribed drugs for type-2 diabetes, such as Actos and Avandia, work by increasing your bodys insulin sensitivity. Unfortunately, they can exacerbate heart problems, they can increase your risk of heart failure, and they can lead to accumulation of fluid in the legs, ankles, and lungs. In some extreme cases, they can lead to liver failure. Theyve also been known to cause weight gain. Its frustrating to me that so many people expose themselves to these potentially deadly side effects to treat something thats heavily influenced by lifestyle. One of the best ways to keep your glucose levels stable is to use the Glycemic Index as a guide when planning your meals. It will make you re-think overly processed foods that dont provide
Visit us at www.DouglassReport.com Learn more about William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

good nutrition or any health benefits. Start pairing foods that will work together to manage your glucose levelslike spreading real butter on your roll at dinner. Healthy fats and proteins can make some of your favorite taboo foods work for you rather than against youno drugs necessary.

7) Sleeping pills
Heres a newsflash: Insomnia isnt caused by a sleeping-pill deficiency. Of course, Big Pharma and its boob tube campaigns would have you believe differently. You can hardly watch your favorite TV show anymore without seeing some commercial pushing something like Ambien or Lunesta. People who are desperate enough to try sleeping pills are probably delirious enough to glaze over at the long list of side effects caused by these dangerous pillsthings like dizziness, loss of balance, falls, and morning sedation; daytime fatigue; and adverse cognitive events like memory loss, confusion, and disorientation. The Food and Drug Administration mandated that stronger warnings to be placed on 13 of the most common prescription sleep drugs. Theyve routinely been getting reports of people making phone calls, Internet purchases, and having sex under the influence of sleep medicationsall claiming they have no memory of their actions! Luckily, most insomnia is behavioralmeaning youve just got some bad habits to turn around. Heres a list of tips guaranteed to help you get a better nights sleep: Try eyeshades and super-light, molded, foam earplugs to reduce noise. Use light-blocking shades on your windows.

Buy a white-noise machine or run an air cleaner to mask bothersome noises. Soak in a warm bath. Try a little bath oil to help you relax. Cut out all caffeine after lunch. Sip a little warm milk or herbal tea.

8) Bone-building drugs
The FDA recently notified medical professionals that bone builders (such as Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva) can cause excruciating bone and muscle pain. Their long-term use has been linked to osteonecrosiswhich means the bone dies, and it happens especially in the jaw. So much for bone building. Osteoporosis is an over-treated condition. What docs should be looking at is your vitamin D level. This vitamin is more important than even calcium when it comes to protecting and building bones. Vitamin D (which is actually a hormone) improves the absorption of calcium and phosphorous, which are essential for healthy bones. It also helps your muscle coordination, which improves your balance. Have your doctor check your 25-hydroxy vitamin D level. Youll want it in a healthy 30+ range. To get it there, take 1,000 to 2,000 IUs of vitamin D per day.

Visit us at www.DouglassReport.com

Learn more about William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

9) Weight-loss pills
You want to lose weight, but youre being pushed to swallow a risky solution for the sake of a few pounds that are highly likely to be re-gained within a year. Why? You cant stay on weight-loss pills forever! Weight loss occurs with the loss of bad habits, replaced by newer, healthier ones. Its not rocket science. But lets set aside for a minute the fact that these pills are the lazy mans answer to weight loss. Try this on for size: Many of these weight-loss pills have been found to substantially raise blood pressure and heart rate. One of the latest pills to hit the market, Alli, can have what the drug company has coyly named treatment effects. Those include gas with oily spotting, loose stools, and more frequent stools that may be hard to control. Feeling alarmed yet? Well, heres the REAL icing on the cake: All of these pills come with disclaimers saying you STILL need to diet and exercise in order to see real results anyway. So why not just skip the dangerous, ineffective drugs and their weighty treatment effects and go straight to the source of real weight loss: cut out the processed, sugary junk foods, and eat plenty of animal protein and dairy.

10) Treatments for irritable bowel syndrome

Patients who take popular prescription meds such as Zelnorm and Lotronex for IBS gain only marginal benefit that comes with significant costs, including an increased risk of diarrhea, colitis, and obstructed or even ruptured bowels. In the hands of an experienced gastroenterologist, these meds might be okay for a very small number of tough-to-treat cases. But only after the doctor has done a proper nutritional evaluation and given you stress-reduction techniques. Otherwise, forget it. The most natural treatment of all is adding more fiber to your diet. Many people think theyre getting enough, but are surprised when they start actually reading food labelsmany of the foods theyre eating have less than 1 gram of fiber per serving. Reach for 5 grams per serving every chance you get when you choose breads and cereals. Did you enjoy this report? If so, youre going to love my monthly newsletter The Douglass Report. Click here to learn how you can subscribe and receive 5 FREE gifts.

Copyright 2008 Institute for The Douglass Report 702 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD 21201. All rights reserved. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means or for any reason without the consent of the publisher. This information is provided as information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this publication. Readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions provided in this publication are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the authors, but readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

Visit us at www.DouglassReport.com

Learn more about William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.